Amazon MGM Studios has acquired the rights to A Stage Set for Villains, the young adult (YA) fantasy novel by Shannon J. Spann, and plans to adapt it into a feature film.
Shannon J. Spann is a New York–based writer and social media strategist. The book debuted at number one on the New York Times YA Hardcover bestseller list.
A Stage Set for Villains follows a cursed teenager who infiltrates a mysterious theater run by dangerous, godlike beings, where mortals compete for immortality in a deadly contest. As she delves deeper, the line between reality and her curse begins to blur.
Published by Entangled Publishing (Mayhem) on February 3, 2026, the film adaptation will be produced by Premeditated Productions.
Liz Pelletier and Sherryl Clark will serve as producers, with Cayla Tyne of Premeditated overseeing development.
Premeditated and Amazon MGM previously adapted Elise Kova’s Dragon Cursed, Shield of Sparrows, Repeat After Me, 69 Million Things I Hate About You, and Survive. On the television side, Premeditated has produced projects including Fourth Wing, Lux, and Assistant to the Villain.
